As U.S. Steelmakers Cheer Tariffs, A Michigan Factory's Future Looks BleakWhile some U.S. steel manufacturers may be embracing tariffs on imported steel, it could hurt some small manufacturers. Simonds International says it could put its Michigan plant out of business.

The finished edge of a blade produced by Simonds International in Big Rapids, Mich. The blades require steel not available from U.S. mills.

Aaron Selbig/Interlochen Public Radio

A worker checks a finished saw blade at the Simonds International plant. The plant employs 80 people and may suffer under President Trump's proposed tariffs on imported steel.

Aaron Selbig/Interlochen Public Radio

Dave Campbell, manager of the Simonds International plant, says there are only four mills that provide the steel his plant needs — two in Europe and two in China.

Aaron Selbig/Interlochen Public Radio

Some of the blades produced by Simonds International are 8 feet wide. They are used in the lumber industry.

Aaron Selbig/Interlochen Public Radio

A century ago, the banks of the Muskegon River in Big Rapids, Mich., were lined with lumber mills.

Aaron Selbig/Interlochen Public Radio

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American steel manufacturers are excited about the Trump administration's plan to levy 25 percent tariffs on imported steel. They say the tariffs will level the playing field against big steel exporters like China.

But in one Michigan county that voted heavily for Trump, people are worried that tariffs could force a big local plant to shut down.

The town of Big Rapids straddles the Muskegon River as it winds from northern Michigan's hardwood forests to Lake Michigan. A century ago, this town played a key role in the timber industry. Some of the old riverfront lumber buildings remain, like the one that houses Simonds International.

The steel products here, which end up in the lumber industry, are made from a type of steel that isn't produced by any U.S. mill.

"There's only four mills in the world that we're aware of that provide this," says Campbell. "Two are in Europe and two are in China."

Whoever is making a competitive product will have cheaper steel, and that product will then gain market share in the United States.

Linda Lim, University of Michigan

Marina McGee buys the raw steel Simonds needs from Europe. "If we could buy it in the U.S., we would happily do that and stop paying all these freight fees and everything else we're paying to bring it in," says McGee.

While President Trump's proposed tariffs aren't in place yet, Simonds' workers are worried. Campbell says most of them voted for Trump.

"I think the individuals here that may have supported President Trump will be disappointed," says Campbell. "[They] will be somewhat concerned that some of the actions he's taking may disadvantage them, disadvantage the company they work for, and disadvantage their job prospects down the road."

Simonds is now trying to band together with its suppliers, and even its domestic competitors, to assure that any tariff regulation has an exemption for the foreign-made steel it needs.